Speed Demons by Gun Brooke Page A

“And I couldn’t have imagined how stunning it would look on you. I won’t have to worry about any cameras being directed at me. I can sit back and relax and let you take the heat.”
    “As if.” Evie snorted. “You all set?”
    “Yes. Let’s get this over with.” She hesitated when Evie actually offered her arm, but then took it. Not one to risk her life in four-inch heels, she was grateful to have a strong arm to hold.
    *
    Outside, another surprise waited. A driver held open the door to a long, sleek, black limousine.
    “Oh, my.” Blythe stopped and looked up at Evie, her eyes huge. “How did you manage this at such short notice? I would imagine all the limo services around here are booked weeks in advance when there’s such an event.”
    “Connections. All about knowing the right people.” Evie winked at the driver as she helped Blythe inside, being careful with the long dress. She’d made some calls and one of the guys on her team had an uncle who was a limo driver. It hadn’t taken any more than season tickets to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway to make this happen. Blythe’s surprised expression made it all worth it.
    The ride to the university district in New Haven took about half an hour, during which Blythe seemed lost in thought most of the time. Evie didn’t mind that, knowing full well what Blythe was thinking about. She had been to enough functions like these in her life, and she guessed Blythe was worried about presenting herself well on the red carpet, eating gracefully in public, being on national TV, and graciously receiving the award and delivering a speech without making a fool of herself. It didn’t matter that she knew Blythe would do great. Blythe was probably quite sure she’d mess up. It had to be hell for a person so private and shy to deal with this. Yet she did.
    “We’ll be at the Omni in five minutes, ma’am,” the driver said. “I can see the lights from here.”
    “God.” Blythe looked pale. “I truly hate this.”
    “Hey.” Evie thought fast. “You know you look good, right?”
    “So?” Blythe glared at Evie, clearly annoyed.
    “Well, that’s one thing less to worry about.”
    “All right.”
    “I look pretty okay too, don’t you think?”
    “You look fabulous. I told you.”
    “So, two hot chicks on the runway. Don’t you see? All we have to do is grin, wave, and tell the press who we’re wearing.”
    “Yes, but—”
    “It’s a start. The rest will fall into place.” She scooted closer to Blythe. “Just remember. You’re not alone. You had my back at the track when Mal showed up. I have your back now.” She placed a hand on Blythe’s shoulder, aware that Blythe wasn’t entirely convinced. Okay, emergency measures.
    Nearing slowly, she saw Blythe’s eyes grow darker. She pressed her lips gently to Blythe’s. She meant the kiss as a distraction, something to take Blythe’s mind off her fears, but she hadn’t counted on how the soft kiss would affect her. The moment she let go of Blythe’s soft lips, carefully checking for signs of smudged lipstick, she wanted to repeat it. Not only that, she felt desperate to repeat it, to verify that she hadn’t somehow conjured up the sound of her thundering heart, the blood singing in her veins, or the dampness of her palms.
    “Evie,” Blythe whispered, her head falling against the backrest.
    She ran her trembling fingertips against Blythe’s neck, reveling in the smoothness.
    “We’re here,” the driver stated.
    “Thank you.” Snapping back to reality, she straightened and looked out the window. Camera crews, news vans, and paparazzi. “Here we go. Ready?”
    “Yes.” Blythe sounded a little less dazed.
    The limousine stopped and the door opened toward the red carpet. Evie stepped outside and extended her hand into the limo for Blythe.
    Blythe exited the vehicle with more grace than Evie would’ve thought possible. She looked ethereal in the harsh light, like a displaced forest creature.